Chapter 11 (pgs.267FL1–289) The Political System

Chapter 11 Section 1 (pgs ) Shaping Public Opinion ESSENTIAL QUESTION: WHAT ARE DIFFERENT WAYS PUBLIC OPINION IS USED TO SHAPE POLITICAL VIEWS?

Public Opinion and How It IS Shaped (pgs )  Americans opinions can influence government policy  Elected officials aren’t likely to be reelected if they ignore public opinion  Americans opinions can greatly vary Public Opinion is Many Opinions (pg.273) public opinion  Each of the many different diverse opinions form by groups of citizens are known as a public opinion. Public Opinion Public Opinion : the total of the opinions held concerning a particular issue  There are many different public opinions that are influenced by many different factors.  Family, friends, teachers, clubs, and other groups of people that citizens interact with often are often strong factors towards an individual’s public opinion

Public Opinion and How It IS Shaped (pgs ) Information and Public Opinion (pg.273)  A lot of information we get comes from mass media outlets Mass Media Mass Media : forms of communication that transmit information to large numbers of people  These outlets include books, magazines, newspapers, internet, television, movies, radio, etc.  Especially, it is important to check the information being reported for inaccuracies misleading messages, biasness, etc.  Many mass media groups report information from only point of view  Educated citizens distinguish between facts, opinions, and unreliable sources Propaganda Shapes Public Opinion (pg.279)  Mass media and others often present information to us for a manipulative purpose. This is known as propaganda Propaganda Propaganda : ideas used to influence people’s thinking or behavior

Public Opinion and How It IS Shaped (pgs ) Concealed Propaganda (pg.274)  It is propaganda that doesn’t reveal cited sources  It is used to fool people by not revealing the real intentions of how they’re trying to influence people Revealed Propaganda (pg.274)  It is a common type of propaganda used in the U.S. and other democratic countries  People are made aware of who is paying for the advertising and what they’re promoting  These are television, radio, and political party ads How do concealed and revealed propaganda affect public opinion?

Propaganda Techniques (pgs )  There are multiple techniques people use to spread propaganda Testimonials (pgs )  Pays famous people to promote their product  U.S. law requires that famous people must use the product that they endorse Bandwagon (pg.275)  This is peer pressure based propaganda  They attempt to persuade people to by suggesting many and popular people are doing it Name Calling (pg.275)  It focuses on using word choice that label and describe competitors negatively Glittering Generalities (pg.275)  Uses words or vague statements that sound good but have little real meaning  Freedom, Patriotism, Change

Propaganda Techniques (pgs ) Plain-Folks Appeal (pg.276)  Use to suggest that they understand the common interests of American by emphasizing that they’re like any other average American, another hardworking citizen. Card Stacking (pg.276)  Only focusing on reporting favorably about products, ideas, or candidates they prefer while not recognizing others How are testimonials similar and different from plain-folks appeal?

Measuring Public Opinion (pg.276) poll  An useful way the public opinion is measured is by a poll. Poll Poll : a survey taken to measure public opinion  Polls are uses to learn public opinion about specific issues, politicians, and polices by asking questions of a portion of the public  Polls must be very considerate about representative public sample and questions to get an accurate public opinion What do polls measure?

Chapter 11 Section 2 (pgs ) Interests Groups ESSENTIAL QUESTION: HOW DO INTEREST GROUPS PLAY A ROLE IN SHAPING GOVERNMENT?

What Is an Interest Group? (pgs ) interest groups  Many Americans belong to one or more interest groups.  Interest Groups  Interest Groups : organizations of people with common interests who try to influence government policies and decisions.  Unlike political parties, interest groups are more concerned about policies than electing officials lobby  They’re also known as a pressure group or lobby.  Lobby  Lobby : an interest group lobbyist  The people interest groups pay to represent them are known as a lobbyist.  Lobbyist  Lobbyist : a person paid to represent an interest group’s viewpoint.  Lobbyist are mostly former lawyers and legislators, public relations-experts, journalists, and field specialists.

What Is an Interest Group? (pgs ) Types of Interest Groups (pg.279)  There are many different kinds of interest groups to represent the many different interests of Americans  Some interest groups focus on economic interests, some focus on specific issues or causes, and others focus on interest of the general public. Public-Interest Groups : groups seeking to promote the interests of the general public rather than just one part of it. What are interest groups?

Lobbyists Influence Government (pg.280)  At all levels of government many laws are the results compromises amongst interest groups Lobbyists Work with Congress (pg.280)  Interest Groups and their lobbyists influence laws at all levels of government in various ways  They argue for and against bills  They ask legislators to support certain bills  They provide the information needed to write bills and help write bills.  They advise government officials about certain bills Lobbyists Influence Public Opinion (pg.280)  Interest groups and their lobbyists often try to influence public opinion in various ways  They advertise to the public for support  They supply cooperate government officials with reelection help  They urge the public to contact their representative about their interests How do lobbyists try to influence government and public opinion?

Interest Groups and Power (pgs )  Due to interest groups and their lobbyists influential power, federal and state government requires lobbyists to be registered.  They must identify who they are working for and how much money they spent on their lobbying efforts.  Criticism against interest groups and lobbyists is that they play too much of a role in the lawmaking process  The richest, most organized groups often get too much attention and favoritism than other smaller, but important interest groups and lobbyists  Supporters of interest groups and lobbyists point out that it provide political freedom Why do some critics feel that lobbyists are too powerful in American politics?

Chapter 11 Section 3 (pgs ) Taking Part in Government ESSENTIAL QUESTION: WHAT ARE WAYS INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS CAN INFLUENCE GOVERNMENT?

Four Ways Citizens Can Participate In Government (pgs )  Participating in government is largely a citizen’s responsibility.  Citizens participation makes democracy government possible.  The quality of your government depends upon how well citizens serve their government.  There are 4 ways any citizen can participate in government:  1) Speaking out on political issues  2) Participating in community action groups  3) Working on a political campaign  4) Voting  People are encourage to contact their representatives by phone, , fax, letter, or office visit. Why do people form community groups, and how do these groups make a difference?

Voting Is Important (pgs )  Voting is probably the single most important way citizens participate government.  By voting, citizens are showing their stances on and determining what action the government will take towards public issues.  Voting is democracy in action. Why Do So Few People Vote? (pg.284)  Approximately only 60% of eligible citizens vote.  Approximately only 75% of eligible citizens are registered to vote.  There are various reasons why citizens don’t vote:  Lack of interest  Not registering  Don’t like any candidates  Illnesses  Can’t get to a polling place  Move to a location that they don’t meet voting requirements

Voting Is Important (pgs ) Every Vote Counts (pg.285)  Some citizens don’t vote because they think they’re vote doesn’t count.  The presidential election of 2000 proved that theory wrong like a few times before.  It marked the first time years that the elected president didn’t win the popular vote.  Florida’s votes in the 2000 Presidential Election were so close that it caused a controversy that went all the way to the Supreme court and determined who would be the next president. How do the results of the 2000 presidential election show the importance of voting?

Taking Part in Political Campaigns (pgs ) volunteers  Any American can participate in government as volunteers for political campaigns  Volunteers  Volunteers : people who work without pay to help others.  Working as a campaign volunteer is an effective way to say work political ideas and people represent you. political action committees  While federal law restricts the amount of money that can be contributed directly to candidates, Americans can contribute unlimited amounts to political action committees that give the money to candidates they support.  Political Action Committees  Political Action Committees : the political arms of an interest group that collect voluntary contributions from members to fund political candidates and parties the groups favor.  The amount of political action committees has risen dramatically in recent decades. How do interest groups take part in political campaigns?